Balloon busters were military pilots known for destroying enemy observation balloons. These pilots were noted for their fearlessness. Seventy-six fighter pilot

Fighter pilot

A fighter pilot is a military aviator trained in air-to-air combat while piloting a fighter aircraft . Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting...

s in World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

 were each credited with destroying five or more balloons, and thus were balloon aces.

An observation balloon was both a vulnerable and a valuable target: lifted by flammable hydrogen

Hydrogen

Hydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. With an average atomic weight of , hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75% of the Universe's chemical elemental mass. Stars in the main sequence are mainly...

 gas the balloon was moored in a stationary position. The observer, suspended in the wicker basket beneath, typically had a wireless transmitter, binoculars and/or a long-range camera. His job was to observe actions on the front-line and behind it, to spot enemy troop movements or unusual activity of any sort, and to call down artillery fire onto any worthwhile targets. Balloon Observers were consequently targets of great importance to both sides, especially before any sort of infantry action or offensive, so individual pilots, flights or whole squadrons were frequently ordered to attack balloons, either in an attempt to destroy them or at least disrupt their observation activities.

Due to their importance balloons were usually given heavy defenses in the form of anti-aircraft artillery and standing fighter patrols stationed overhead. Other defenses included surrounding the main balloon with barrage balloon

Barrage balloon

A barrage balloon is a large balloon tethered with metal cables, used to defend against low-level aircraft attack by damaging the aircraft on collision with the cables, or at least making the attacker's approach more difficult. Some versions carried small explosive charges that would be pulled up...

s; stringing cables in the air in the vicinity of the balloons; putting machine guns in gondolas for observers to use; and flying balloons booby-trapped with explosives that could be remotely detonated from the ground. These measures made balloons valuable but very dangerous targets to approach.

Although balloons were occasionally shot down by small-arms fire, generally it was difficult to shoot down a balloon with solid bullets, particularly at the distances and altitude involved. Ordinary bullets would pass relatively harmlessly through the hydrogen gas bag, merely holing the fabric. Hits on the wicker car could however kill the observer.

One method employed was the solid-fuelled Le Prieur rocket

Le Prieur rocket

Le Prieur rockets were a type of incendiary air-to-air rockets used in World War I against observation balloons and airships. They were invented by the French Lieutenant Yves Le Prieur and were first used in the Battle of Verdun on 1916...

 invented by Frenchman Lt. Yves Le Prieur

Yves le Prieur

Yves Paul Gaston Le Prieur was an officer of the French Navy and an inventor.-Adventures in the Far East:Le Prieur followed his father in joining the French navy. As an officer he served in Asia and used traditional deep sea diving equipment...

 and first used in April 1916. Rockets were attached to each outboard strut

Interplane strut

An interplane strut is an aircraft airframe component designed to transmit lift and landing loads between wing panels on biplanes and other aircraft with multi-wing designs. They also maintain the correct angle of incidence for the connected wing panels and are often braced with wires...

 of a biplane fighter aircraft and fired through steel tubes using an electrical trigger. The rockets' inaccuracy was such that pilots had to fly to within some 125 yards of their target before firing.

It was not until special 'Pomeroy' incendiary bullets and the 'Buckingham' flat-nosed .45 calibre explosive bullet became available on the Western Front in 1917 that any consistent degree of success was achieved. Le Prieur rockets were withdrawn from service in 1918 once incendiary bullets had become available.

Balloon busting aces (5 balloons or more)

Name	Nationality	Balloon victories	Aircraft victories	Total
Willy Coppens Willy Coppens Willy Omer Francois Jean Coppens was Belgium's leading fighter ace and the champion "balloon buster" of World War I.-Background and Early Military Service:...	Belgian	35	2	37
Léon Bourjade Leon Bourjade Léon Bourjade , born Jean-Pierre Léon Bourjade, was a leading French fighter pilot in World War I, notable for being his country's leading balloon busting ace...	French	27	1	28
Michel Coiffard Michel Coiffard Michel Joseph Callixte Marie Coiffard was one of the leading French flying aces of the World War I. He was notable for his success as a balloon buster shooting down enemy observation balloons, which were usually heavily defended by anti-aircraft machine guns and artillery and by fighter planes...	French	24	10	34
Maurice Boyau Maurice Boyau Maurice Jean-Paul Boyau was a French rugby union player and a leading French ace of the First World War with 35 victories, and one of the most successful balloon busters...	French	21	14	35
Friedrich Ritter von Röth Friedrich Ritter von Röth Oberleutnant Friedrich Ritter von Röth was a German World War I fighter ace with 28 victories. He was the most successful German pilot at shooting down enemy observation balloons; 20 of his triumphs were against them.-Early service:Friedrich Röth served originally in an artillery regiment. He was...	German	20	8	28
Jacques Ehrlich Jacques Ehrlich Sous Lieutenant Jacques Louis Ehrlich was a World War I flying ace who was one of the leading balloon busters of the war.He enlisted in the French army on 29 May 1913. Three and a half years later, in December 1916, he transferred to aviation. In May 1917, he was brevetted a pilot. Two months...	French	18	1	19
Heinrich Gontermann Heinrich Gontermann Heinrich Gontermann was a German First World War fighter ace credited with 39 victories during the war.- Early life :...	German	18	21	39
Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor Captain Andrew Frederick Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor, VC, DSO, MC and bar, DFC was a South African recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...	South African	16	38	54
Frank Luke Frank Luke Frank Luke Jr. was an American fighter ace, ranking second among U.S. Army Air Service pilots after Captain Eddie Rickenbacker in number of aerial victories during World War I . Frank Luke was the first airman to receive the Medal of Honor...	American	14	4	18
Karl Schlegel Karl Schlegel (aviator) Karl Paul Schlegel was a German World War I flying ace credited with 22 victories. Schlegel was shot down by French ace Petar Marinovich. He was the last German ace to be killed in WWI.-Notes:...	German	14	8	22
Oskar Hennrich Oskar Hennrich Vizefeldwebel Oskar Hennrich was a World War I flying ace credited with 20 aerial victories. He was a notable balloon buster, as thirteen of his wins were destructions of observation balloons. He was the leading ace of his squadron....	German	13	7	20
Marcel Haegelen	French	12	11	23
Marius Ambrogi Marius Ambrogi Sous Lieutenant Marius Jean Paul Elzeard Ambrogi flew as a fighter pilot in both World Wars. He became a flying ace during World War I, with fourteen aerial victories; he added another "kill" during World War II...	French	11	3	14
Friedrich Friedrichs Friedrich Friedrichs Leutnant Friedrich Friedrichs was a World War I fighter ace credited with 21 victories.-Early life and military service:Friedrich Friedrichs was born in Spork, Westphalia, in western Germany, on 21 February 1895. His father was a customs official. Friedrichs attended Hermann-Tast Gymnasium. He...	German	11	10	21
Henry Woollett	British	11	24	35
Tom F. Hazell Tom F. Hazell Thomas Falcon Hazell DSO, MC, DFC & Bar was a fighter pilot with the Royal Flying Corps, and later, the Royal Air Force during World War I...	British	10	43	53
Fritz Höhn Fritz Höhn Leutnant Fritz Höhn was a German World War I fighter ace credited with 21 victories.-Early life and service:Fritz Höhn began his military service in the elite 7th Guards Infantry Regiment.-Aerial service:...	German	10	11	21
Max Näther	Germany	10	16	26
William George Barker William George Barker William George Barker VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Two Bars was a Canadian First World War fighter ace and Victoria Cross recipient...	Canadian	9	50	59
Louis Bennett	American	9	3	12
Théophile Henri Condemine	French	9	0	9
Hans von Freden Hans von Freden Leutnant Hans von Freden was a World War I flying ace credited with 20 aerial victories.Freden began his string of aerial victories while assigned to Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 1. He shot down an observation balloon at Spresiano on 29 January 1918. He furthered his career as a balloon buster by...	German	9	10	19
Sidney Highwood Sidney Highwood Captain Sidney William Highwood was a World War I flying ace who was a balloon buster. He was credited with aerial victories over nine enemy observation balloons, five German Fokker D.VIIs, and two Rumpler observation planes....	British	9	7	16
Erich Löwenhardt Erich Löwenhardt Erich Löwenhardt was the 3rd highest German flying ace with 54 victories during the First World War, behind only Manfred von Richthofen and Ernst Udet.-Early life and service:...	German	9	45	54
Jean Andre Pezon Jean Andre Pezon Lieutenant Colonel Jean Andre Pezon began his military career during World War I and became a flying ace credited with ten confirmed aerial victories. He served his nation through World War II and into the Korean War.-World War I:...	French	9	1	10
Armand Pinsard Armand Pinsard General Armand Pinsard , Chevalier, Officer, Commander, and Grand Officer of the Legion d'Honneur, Croix de Guerre with 19 palms, Medaille Militaire, British Military Cross, Italian Military Medal, Moroccan Medal, was a World War I fighter ace credited with 27 victories...	French	9	18	27
Erich Thomas Erich Thomas Leutnant Erich Thomas was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories. Nine of these were observation balloons he destroyed.Thomas was assigned to Jasta 9 in December 1917. He shot down his first enemy observation balloon on 3 January 1918.He carried on his career as a balloon...	German	9	1	10
Paul Barbreau Paul Barbreau Sous lieutenant Paul Augustin Edouard Barbreau was an Algerian-born French World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.-Early life:...	French	8	0	8
Josef Jacobs Josef Jacobs Josef Carl Peter Jacobs was a German flying ace with 48 victories during the First World War. His total tied him with Werner Voss for fourth place among German aces.-Background:...	German	8	40	48
Max Kuhn	German	8	4	12
Charles J. V. Macé Charles J. V. Macé Adjutant Charles Jean Vincent Macé was a French flying ace during World War I. He shot down eight German observation balloons and four enemy airplanes for confirmed victories....	French	8	4	12
Ernest Maunoury Ernest Maunoury Sous Lieutenant Ernest Joseph Jules Maunoury was a French flying ace during World War I. He was credited with eleven confirmed aerial victories.-World War I:...	French	8	3	11
Friedrich T. Noltenius Friedrich T. Noltenius Lieutenant Friedrich Theodor Noltenius was a German flying ace in the First World War, with a total of 21 kills.-Early life and service:...	German	8	13	21
Fritz Pütter	German	8	17	25
Otto Schmidt Otto Schmidt (aviator) Oberleutnant Otto Schmidt was a World War I fighter ace credited with 20 aerial victories, including eight against enemy observation balloons. He commanded three different jagdstaffeln as well as a jagdgeschwader ....	German	8	12	20
Maurice Bizot Maurice Bizot Adjutant Maurice Bizot was a French World War I flying ace credited with ten confirmed aerial victories.-World War I:Bizot joined the French military on 8 January 1915. Rated a soldat de 2e classe, he was assigned to 11e Regiment d'Artillerie a pied. He was promoted to enlisted Brigadier on 6 April...	French	7	3	10
Oskar Freiherr von Boenigk Oskar Freiherr von Boenigk Generalmajor Oskar Freiherr von Boenigk began his military career during World War I as a fighter ace credited with 26 victories...	German	7	19	26
Julius Buckler Julius Buckler Julius Buckler was a German First World War fighter ace credited with 36 victories during the war. He shot down 29 enemy airplanes and 7 balloons; two other victories went unconfirmed...	German	7	29	36
Siegfried Büttner	German	7	6	13
Harry King Goode Harry King Goode Harry King Goode DSO, DFC was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories.-Honours and awards:Distinguished Service Order 2nd Lieut. Harry King Goode, D.F.C...	British	7	8	15
Harold B. Hudson Harold B. Hudson -Websites:...	Canadian	7	6	13
Hans Nülle	Germany	7	4	11
Charles Nungesser Charles Nungesser Charles Eugène Jules Marie Nungesser, MC was a French ace pilot and adventurer, best remembered as a rival of Charles Lindbergh...	French	7	36	43
Hans Martin Pippart Hans Martin Pippart Leutnant Hans Martin Pippart Iron Cross was a pioneer aircraft manufacturer and early pilot. As a World War I fighter ace he was credited with 22 victories.-Early life:...	German	7	15	22
Paul Santelli Paul Santelli Marechal-des-Logis Paul Marie Raphael Santelli was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories. He was a balloon buster, all of his victories being over observation balloons.-References:...	French	7	0	7
Eugen Bönsch Eugen Bönsch -Early life and service:Bönsch studied mechanics at the State Trade School. He originally joined the army in 1915, but after completing basic training transferred to aviation. His original assignment was as a mechanic with Fliegerersatzkompagnie 6.-Flying service:...	Austro-Hungarian	6	10	16
Hans Klein	German	6	16	22
Antoine Laplasse Antoine Laplasse Adjutant-Chef Antoine Laplasse was a World War I balloon buster and flying ace credited with eight aerial victories, six of which were against observation balloons....	French	6	2	8
Donald Roderick MacLaren	Canadian	6	48	54
Georg Meyer Georg Meyer (aviator) Leutnant Georg Meyer , Iron Cross, was a German World I fighter ace credited with confirmed victories over seven enemy observation balloons and 17 enemy aircraft, with an unconfirmed victory over a balloon and two unconfirmed claims against enemy aircraft.-References:*...	German	6	18	24
Marcel Bloch Marcel Bloch (aviator) For the French aviation executive who began his life as Marcel Bloch, see Marcel DassaultSous Lieutenant Marcel Robert Marcel Bloch was a World War I flying ace who fought on both Eastern and Western Fronts...	French	5	0	5
Heinrich Bongartz Heinrich Bongartz Heinrich Bongartz Pour le Merite, Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross, was a German World War I fighter pilot and flying ace credited with 33 confirmed victories and one unconfirmed...	German	5	28	33
Fernand Bonneton Fernand Bonneton Commandant Fernand Bonneton was a French World War I flying ace credited with nine confirmed aerial victories.-World War I:In the beginning of World War I, Bonneton served in the cavalry until he was wounded twice. After a voluntary transfer to the infantry, he was wounded twice more and invalided...	French	5	4	9
Godwin Brumowski Godwin Brumowski Godwin Brumowski was the most successful fighter ace of the Austro-Hungarian Air Force during World War I. He was officially credited with 35 air victories, with 8 others unconfirmed because they fell behind Allied lines...	Austro-Hungarian	5	30	35
William Charles Campbell William Charles Campbell Captain William Charles Campbell, Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross with Bar , was a World War I fighter pilot of Scots heritage who was credited with 23 victories. Serving with No. 1 Squadron during 1917, he was a notable balloon buster, being the first British ace to down five enemy...	British	5	18	23
Pierre Cardon Pierre Cardon Maréchal-des-logis Pierre Marie Joseph Cardon was a World War I balloon buster credited with five aerial victories over enemy observation balloons.-References:...	French	5	0	5
Sydney Carlin	British	5	5	10
Arthur Cobby	Australian	5	24	29
Martin Dehmisch	German	5	5	10
Pierre Ducornet Pierre Ducornet Marcechal-des-Logis Pierre Desire Augustin Ducornet was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories, five of which were over enemy balloons, the two others were against enemy planes.-Reference:...	French	5	2	7
Wilhelm Frickart Wilhelm Frickart Leutnant Wilhelm Frickart was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories. He is the only known German observer to become an ace balloon buster....	German	5	7	12
Louis Prosper Gros Louis Prosper Gros Sous Lieutenant Louis Prosper Gros became a flying ace during World War I, scoring eight confirmed aerial victories, and possibly a ninth. He continued in aviation after the war, and defended his nation again during World War II....	French	5	4	9
Francis Guerrier	French	5	0	5
Heinrich Haase	German	5	1	6
Lansing Holden Lansing Holden Lieutenant Lansing Colton Holden, Jr. was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-World War I service:Holden dropped out of Princeton and went to France to join the fight. He was originally attached to French aviation's Escadrille 461 in April 1918 to defend Paris against...	American	5	2	7
Adrien L. J. Leps Adrien L. J. Leps Major Adrien Louis Jacques Leps was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve confirmed aerial victories, as well as two probables. He served originally in the French cavalry, before shifting to flying...	French	5	7	12
Richard Burnard Munday Richard Burnard Munday Major Richard Burnard Munday was an English flying ace credited with scoring nine aerial victories during World War I. He was notable for scoring Britain's first night victory; he also excelled as a balloon buster at the rare feat of shooting down enemy observation balloons at night.-Early...	British	5	4	9
Marcel Nogues Marcel Nogues Sous Lieutenant Marcel Joseph Maurice Nogues was a World War I flying ace credited with thirteen aerial victories. He was an ace over enemy observation balloons, as well as enemy airplanes.-World War I service:...	French	5	8	13
Edward Rickenbacker	American	5	21	26
George R. Riley George R. Riley Lieutenant George Raby Riley was a World War I flying ace credited with thirteen aerial victories. He was an ace balloon buster, as well as an ace over enemy aircraft....	British	5	8	13
Gilbert Sardier Gilbert Sardier Lieutenant Jean Marie Luc Gilbert Sardier was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories. He remained active in aviation following World War I...	French	5	10	15
William Ernest Shields William Ernest Shields William Ernest Shields DFC & Bar was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 24 victories.-Distinguished Flying Cross:"Lieut. William Ernest Shields....	Canadian	5	19	24
Walter Southey Walter Southey Captain Walter Alfred Southey, was a World War One RFC and RAF fighter ace. He was awarded the D.F.C. and bar. He was the second scoring ace for his squadron, behind only A. F. W. Beauchamp Proctor.-Early life:...	South African	5	15	20
Paul Y. R. Waddington Paul Y. R. Waddington Sous Lieutenant Paul Yvan Robert Waddington was a French World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories.Waddington joined the 141e Regiment d'Infanterie on 15 December 1914 as a Soldat de 2e classe. He was promoted to Caporal on 21 June 1915; exactly a month later, he was forwarded to...	French	5	7	12
Joseph Wehner	American	5	1	6
Hans Weiss Hans Weiss (aviator) -Early life and service:Weiss was a native of Hof, which was situated on the Austrian/German border. He began school in Bayreuth in 1912, studying mechanical engineering. After several attempts to volunteer for service at the beginning of World War I, he was accepted by the pioneers at Ingolstadt...	German	5	11	16

Other balloon busters (fewer than 5 balloons)

The following list is accumulative and incomplete because it is a work in progress. It is compiled as biographies of flying aces are written, and still lacks some balloon busters.

Please feel free to by adding to it.
----

Name	Nationality	Balloon victories	Aircraft victories	Total
Heinrich Arntzen Heinrich Arntzen Leutnant Heinrich Arntzen was a World War I flying ace credited with eleven aerial victories....	German	4	7	11
Otto Brauneck Otto Brauneck Otto Brauneck was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.Brauneck joined the air service and was posted to FFA 69 in Macedonia. He scored first in September 1916. His second victory, over an observation balloon on 14 December, earned him the First Class Iron Cross. After an...	German	4	6	10
Harvey Weir Cook Harvey Weir Cook Harvey Weir Cook was an American fighter ace in World War I and Distinguished Service Cross recipient. He was also a pioneer in civilian commercial aviation and a leading figure in the development of aviation in the United States and in state of Indiana.- Early life :He was born Harvey Weir Cook...	American	4	3	7
Gustave Daladier Gustave Daladier Capitaine Gustave Victorin Daladier was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories.-Early military service:Daladier volunteered for a three year enlistment on 3 December 1907. He began his military career in the 4eme Regiment de Chasseurs d'Afrique as an enlisted soldier. On 5...	French	4	8	12
Benno Fiala Ritter von Fernbrugg	Austro-Hungarian	4*	24	28
Elwyn King Elwyn King Elwyn Roy King DSO, DFC was a fighter pilot and ace in the Australian Flying Corps during World War I. He scored twenty-six victories in aerial combat, making him the fourth highest-scoring Australian aviator of the war. King entered service as a Lighthorseman in 1915, before transferring to the...	Australian	4	22	26
Georges Lachmann Georges Lachmann Capitaine Georges Marcel Lachmann was a French World War I flying ace. He was credited with nine confirmed aerial victories.-World War I:On 21 July 1914, Georges Marcel Lachman was awarded the civil pilot's license he had earned. On 2 August 1914, as France began World War I, Sergent Lachmann...	French	4	5	9
Auguste Lahoulle Auguste Lahoulle General Auguste Joseph Marie Lahoulle began his military career as a World War I flying ace. He was a double ace during the war, credited with ten confirmed aerial victories.-Service before and during World War I:...	French	4	6	10
Edgar McCloughry Edgar McCloughry Air Vice Marshal Edgar James Kingston McCloughry CB, CBE, DSO, DFC & Bar was an Australian World War I fighter pilot and flying ace. He shot down 21 aircraft and military balloons during the war, making him the 6th highest-scoring Australian ace...	Australian	4	17	21
Paul Petit Paul Petit Adjutant Paul Armand Petit was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-Reference:...	French	4	3	7
Maurice Rousselle Maurice Rousselle Adjutant Maurice Albert Rousselle was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	French	4	1	5
Karl Schattauer	German	4	5	9
Leonard Taplin Leonard Taplin Lieutenant Leonard Thomas Eaton Taplin qualified as a flying ace during World War I. During his service in Palestine, he helped pioneer the use of aerial photography for cartography. He then transferred to the Western Front and was credited with 12 official aerial victories...	Australian	4	8	12
Edgar Taylor	American	4	1	5
Guy Wareing Guy Wareing Lieutenant Guy Wilbraham Wareing was a World War I flying ace credited with nine aerial victories.Wareing joined the Royal Flying Corps in August 1917. He was assigned to 29 Squadron to pilot a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a in June 1918. On 12 August, he began his victory roll by destroying a German...	English	4	5	9
Yves F. Barbaza Yves F. Barbaza Sous Lieutenant Yves Felix Barbaza was a World War I fighter ace credited with five aerial victories.-Honors and awards:Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur...	French	3	2	5
Hamilton Coolidge Hamilton Coolidge Hamilton Coolidge , was an American pursuit pilot, flying ace in World War I, and recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross....	American	3	5	8
Pierre Delage Pierre Delage Adjutant Pierre Delage was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-Reference:...	French	3	4	7
Rudolf von Eschwege Rudolf von Eschwege Leutnant Rudolf von Eschwege was a German World War I flying ace who was the only fighter pilot operating on the Macedonian Front. He was credited with twenty confirmed and six unconfirmed victories....	German	3	17	20
Henri Hay De Slade Henri Hay De Slade Capitaine Henri Joseph Marie Hay de Slade was a World War I flying ace credited with 19 aerial victories.Hay de Slade came from a military family; his father was a naval officer who died in 1908. Hay de Slade began his own military career as a cadet at Saint Cyr in 1913...	French	3	16	19
Francis W. Gillet	American	3	17	20
Max Gossner	German	3	5	8
Justus Grassman	German	3	7	10
Robert Hall Robert Hall (aviator) Captain Robert Norwood Hall was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.Hall tallied his first win on 24 April 1917, when he drove an enemy two-seater down out of control. On 7 May, he became a balloon buster by destroying three observation balloons on the same mission;...	South African	3	2	5
Ludwig Hanstein Ludwig Hanstein Leutnant Ludwig Hanstein was a World War I flying ace credited with 16 aerial victories.-Early service:He scored his first triumph while flying artillery cooperation missions with FA 6...	German	3	13	16
William Frederick James Harvey William Frederick James Harvey William Frederick James Harvey, was a British flying ace in World War I credited with twenty-six victories. He was the first recipient of the DFC & Bar and was also awarded the MC....	English	3	23	26
Albert Haussmann	German	3	12	15
Adolf Heyrowsky Adolf Heyrowsky Oberst Adolf Heyrowsky, 18 February 1882-1945, was a career officer in the Austro-Hungarian military who turned to aviation. He became an accredited flying ace during World War I, with twelve aerial victories.-Pre-World War I:...	Austro-Hungarian	3*	9	12
Camille Lagesse Camille Lagesse Camille Henri Raoul Lagesse DFC was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 20 victories.-Distinguished Flying Cross:"Lt. Camille Henri Raoul Lagesse....	Canadian	3	17	20
Friedrich Manschott Friedrich Manschott Vizefeldwebel Friedrich Manschott was a World War I flying ace credited with 12 aerial victories.Manschott earned his flyer's badge on 10 August 1917. His first assignment was to a reconnaissance unit, FA 203. There he downed his first foe, a Farman, on 15 December 1916. He was then transferred to...	German	3	9	12
George McElroy George McElroy Captain George Edward Henry McElroy MC and Two Bars, DFC and Bar was a leading ace fighter pilot of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during World War I. He was credited with 47 aerial victories....	Irish	3	44	47
Maurice Newnham Maurice Newnham Captain Maurice Ashdown Newnham was a World War flying ace credited with 18 aerial victories.He originally joined the Royal Flying Corps as a 17-year-old courier. He was assigned to No. 4 Squadron in France. A year and a half later, he underwent pilot's training.He was then forwarded to a Sopwith...	English	3	15	18
John Steele Ralston John Steele Ralston Captain John Steele Ralston was a Scots World War I war hero and flying ace. After winning a Military Cross in 1916 for lifesaving gallantry during his infantry service, he was credited with 12 official aerial victories as a fighter pilot before he was killed in action.-World War I:John Steele...	Scots	3	9	12
Paul Rothe Paul Rothe Vizefeldwebel Richard Paul Rothe was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	German	3	2	5
Franz Rudorfer Franz Rudorfer Oberleutnant Franz Rudorfer was a World War I flying ace credited with eleven confirmed and two unconfirmed aerial victories.-World War I:Rudorfer had volunteered for service before World War I began. He was posted to Infanterieregiment No. 59 as a new leutnant in August 1916. In May 1917, he...	German	3	8	11
Cecil Thompson Cecil Thompson (aviator) Lieutenant Cecil Robert Thompson was a South African World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.Thompson served two and a half years in the ground forces in both the East and West African campaigns against the Germans. He then transferred into the Royal Flying Corps in August 1917...	South African	3	3	6
Remington Vernam	American	3	3	6
Herbert Gilles Watson	New Zealander	3	11	14
Edgar O. Amm Edgar O. Amm Major Edgar Oxenham Amm DFC & Bar was a South African aviator who served in World War I and became a flying ace; he was credited with ten aerial victories. He returned to service during World War II. Between the wars, and after World War II, he was a farmer and businessman.-Personal life:Amm was...	South African	2	5	7
Maurice Arnoux Maurice Arnoux Lieutenant Maurice Arnoux was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. He returned to flying fighter planes during the early days of World War II.-References:...	French	2	3	5
Horace Barton Horace Barton Captain Horace Dale Barton was a World War I flying ace credited with 19 aerial victories.He originally spent 1914–1916 with the army in German Southwest and East Africa. He then joined the Royal Flying Corps in England. His first assignment after pilot's training was 84 Squadron. On 3 January...	South African	2	17	19
John Courade Bateman	English	2	5	7
Douglas John Bell Douglas John Bell Captain Douglas John Bell was a World War I fighter ace credited with 20 aerial victories. He was one of the first fighter pilots to successfully engage an enemy multi-engine bomber. He became the leading ace of the nine in No. 3 Squadron RAF....	South African	2	17	19
Armond J. Berthelot Armond J. Berthelot Adjutant Armond Jean Berthelot was a French World War I flying ace credited with eleven confirmed aerial victories. He was a scourge to enemy aerial observers....	French	2	9	11
William Avery Bishop	Canadian	2	70	72
Jean Casale Jean Casale Sous Lieutenant Jean Pie Hyacinthe Paul Jerome Casale, Marquis de Montferato was a World War I flying ace credited with thirteen aerial victories. He was one of the few aces that survived the entire course of fighter aviation in the war....	French	2	11	13
William Gordon Claxton	Canadian	2	35	37
Edwin Cole	English	2	6	8
James Connelly James Connelly (aviator) Adjutant James Alexander Connelly, Jr. was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-Reference:...	American	2	5	7
Charles Cudemore Charles Cudemore Captain Charles William Cudemore was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories.-World War I service:...	English	2	13	15
Gilbert de Guingand Gilbert de Guingand Sous lieutenant Gilbert Marie de Guingand was a French World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories before being killed in action.-Early life:Gilbert Marie de Guingand was born at Viroflay, France on 21 July 1891...	French	2	6	8
Armand de Turenne Armand de Turenne Capitaine Armand Jean Galliot Joseph de Turenne was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories.The Marquis de Turenne was a pre-war cavalryman who transferred to aviation after the war began. In June 1916, he was assigned to Escadrille 48 as a Nieuport pilot. He scored his first...	French	2	13	15
Pierre Dufaur de Gavardie Pierre Dufaur de Gavardie Lieutenant Pierre Henri Edmond Dufaur de Gavardie was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. Dufaur de Gavardie was wounded in action on 7 February 1917. He died on 4 October 1966 at the age of 76....	French	2	4	6
Willi Gabriel Willi Gabriel Vizefeldwebel Willi Gabriel was a World War I flying ace credited with eleven aerial victories.Gabriel built his own airplanes prior to World War I. He was called up for military service when the war began. Early in 1915, he began a series of assignments to artillery cooperation units, often in...	German	2	9	11
Karl Gallwitz Karl Gallwitz Leutnant Karl Gallwitz was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.Gallwitz originally flew a Roland D.III for artillery cooperation units on the Russian Front, shooting down two observation balloons with FA 37, before a brief assignment to Jasta 29. On 24 August 1917, he joined...	German	2	8	10
George Gates George Gates Captain George Brian Gates was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories.He joined the Royal Naval Air Service in June 1917.-Honors and awards:Distinguished Flying Cross ...	English	2	7	9
Frederick Stanley Gordon Frederick Stanley Gordon Lieutenant Frederick Stanley Gordon was a World War I flying ace from New Zealand. While serving in Britain's Royal Air Force, he scored nine aerial victories as a fighter pilot.-World War I:...	New Zealander	2	7	9
Franz Gräser Franz Gräser Leutnant Franz Gräser was a World War I flying ace credited with 18 aerial victories.Gräser was a technical university student in Budapest until World War I broke out. In October 1914, he enlisted in Infanterieregiment No. 72, graduated reserve officer school in mid-July 1915, and began World War I...	Austro-Hungarian	2	16	18
Fernand Guyou Fernand Guyou Sous Lieutenant Fernand Eugene Guyou was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories.-Infantry service:Guyou was serving as an enlisted Brigadier in the cavalry reserves when war began. On 3 September 1914, he was assigned the duties of mounted scout for the 46eme Regiment...	French	2	10	12
Erich Hahn Erich Hahn Oberleutnant Erich Hahn was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.-Reference:...	German	2	4	6
Georges Halberger Georges Halberger Adjutant Georges Charles Emmanuel Halberger was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	French	2	3	5
Lloyd Hamilton Lloyd Hamilton (aviator) First Lieutenant Lloyd Andrews Hamilton was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories. During five months of 1918 he became an ace with the Royal Flying Corps and then again with the United States Air Service...	American	2	8	10
Thomas Sinclair Harrison	South African	2	20	22
Robert Heibert	German	2	11	13
Ernest Charles Hoy Ernest Charles Hoy -Websites:...	Canadian	2	11	13
Frederick Hunt	English	2	7	9
Albert Leslie Jones	English	2	5	7
James Latta	English	2	3	5
Pierre Leroy de Boiseaumarie Pierre Leroy De Boiseaumarie Lieutenant Pierre Marie Gabriel Vincent Ernest Leroy de Boiseaumarie was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	French	2	3	5
Frederick Luff	American	2	3	5
John Mackereth	English	2	5	7
Rudolf Matthaei Rudolf Matthaei Leutnant Rudolf Matthaei was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.Matthaei joined Saxon Field Artillery Regiment No. 46 as an officer candidate on 13 February 1913. His first wartime service was in France. He was commissioned on 23 April 1915. He shipped out with his regiment...	German	2	8	10
Maurice Mealing Maurice Mealing Second Lieutenant Maurice Edmund Mealing MC was a World War I flying ace credited with 14 aerial victories.While Mealing was originally an infantryman, he transferred into the Royal Flying Corps and was commissioned on 16 May 1916. He reported to 15 Squadron as an observer on 7 August, and remained...	English	2	12	14
Zenos Miller	American	2	3	5
Hans Karl Müller Hans Karl Müller Leutnant Hans Karl Müller was a pioneering German flying ace during World War I. He was credited with nine aerial victories. He also taught many others to fly, as an instructor in the German Air Service, and later, as a civilian instructor in Mexico....	German	2	7	9
Otto Parschau Otto Parschau Leutnant Otto Parschau was a German World War I Flying Ace and recipient of the Pour le Mérite, Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, and Iron Cross, First Class. He was noted as one of the pre-eminent aces on the Fokker Eindecker...	German	2	6	8
Andre Petit-Delchet Andre Petit-Delchet Adjutant Andre Marie Paul Petit-Delchet was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	French	2	3	5
Croye Pithey Croye Pithey Lieutenant Croye Rothes Pithey was a South African World War I flying ace credited with 10 aerial victories. He was one of the war's handful of bomber pilots to become a balloon buster; he may have been the only pilot to do it twice...	South African	2	8	10
Arthur Rahn Arthur Rahn Leutnant Arthur Rahn was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.-Reference:...	German	2	4	6
Hervey Rhodes Hervey Rhodes Hervey Rhodes, Baron Rhodes, KG, DFC, PC was a British Labour Party politician.Born in Saddleworth in the West Riding of Yorkshire, Rhodes was educated at St Mary's School, Greenfield, then at Huddersfield Technical College...	English	2	8	10
Cyril Ridley Cyril Ridley Flight Lieutenant Cyril Ridley, DSC was a British World War I flying ace. He served with the Royal Naval Air Service in 1917/1918, flying Sopwith Triplanes and Sopwith Camels.-Early life:...	English	2	9	11
Charles G. Ross Charles G. Ross (aviator) Brigadier Charles Gordon Ross was a career soldier who served in both the Royal Air Force and the South African Air Force. He was a quadruple ace, being credited with 20 victories during World War I....	South African	2	18	20
Hugh Saunders Hugh Saunders Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh William Lumsden Saunders GCB KBE MC DFC and Bar MM RAF was a South African who rose through the ranks to become a senior Royal Air Force commander.-RAF career:...	South African	2	13	15
Kurt Schönfelder	German	2	11	13
Sumner Sewall Sumner Sewall Sumner Sewall was a U.S. Republican politician and airline executive who served as the 58th Governor of Maine from 1941 to 1945. He began his aviation career during World War I as a fighter ace.-Biography:...	American	2	5	7
Langley Smith	Canadian	2	6	8
Werner Steinhauser	German	2	8	10
Francis S. Symondson Francis S. Symondson Captain Francis Stanley Symondson was a British World War I flying ace credited with 13 confirmed aerial victories. He survived over three years of ground warfare and overcame early setbacks as a fighter pilot on the Western Front to become an ace in Italy....	English	2	11	13
Mathieu Tenant de la Tour Mathieu Tenant de la Tour Capitaine Mathieu Marie Joseph Antoine Tenant de la Tour was a World War I flying ace credited with nine aerial victories. He was a prewar pioneer in aviation who went on to score one of the first aerial victories over an observation balloon.-Biography:He was born on 5 December 1883 in Paris...	French	2	7	9
Renatus Theiller	German	2	10	12
Bernhard Ultsch Bernhard Ultsch Offizierstellvertreter Bernhard Ultsch was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories....	German	2	10	12
Gilbert J. Uteau Gilbert J. Uteau Marechal-des-Logis Gilbert Jean Uteau was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	French	2	3	5
Clive W. Warman Clive W. Warman Captain Clive Wilson Warman was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories. He was the sole American winner of the British Distinguished Service Order.-World War I:...	American	2	10	12
Paul Wenzl	Germany	2	8	10
Edgar O. Amm Edgar O. Amm Major Edgar Oxenham Amm DFC & Bar was a South African aviator who served in World War I and became a flying ace; he was credited with ten aerial victories. He returned to service during World War II. Between the wars, and after World War II, he was a farmer and businessman.-Personal life:Amm was...	South African	1	9	10
Leopold Anslinger Leopold Anslinger Leutnant Leopold Anslinger was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.Anslinger learned to fly pre-World War I, earning pilot certificate No. 566 on 14 October 1913. When the war began, he was a corporal pilot. Promoted to Feldwebel, he was posted to FA 54 on the Russian Front....	German	1	9	10
Edward Dawson Atkinson Edward Dawson Atkinson Captain Edward Dawson Atkinson was a World War I flying ace credited with a total of 10 aerial victories, won while serving in three different squadrons during World War I. He would serve postwar until invalided out of the Royal Air Force. He then turned to a business career.-Early life:Atkinson...	Irish	1	9	10
Paul Aue Paul Aue -Early life:Oberst Paul Aue was born on 7 October 1891 in Söbringen, Kingdom of Saxony. He matured into a small man; some sources even call him "diminutive".-World War I:...	German	1	9	10
Dietrich Averes	German	1	9	10
Thomas Baker Thomas Baker (aviator) Thomas Charles Richmond Baker DFC, MM & Bar was an Australian soldier, aviator and flying ace of the First World War. Born in Smithfield, South Australia, he was an active sportsman in his youth and developed a keen interest in aviation...	Australian	1	11	12
Albert Ball Albert Ball Albert Ball VC, DSO & Two Bars, MC was an English fighter pilot of the First World War and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British or Commonwealth armed forces...	English	1	43	44
Ronald Bannerman Ronald Bannerman Air Commodore Ronald Burns Bannerman was a flying ace during World War I, as well as serving as a high level administrator for his native New Zealand's air force during World War II.-Early life and training:...	New Zealander	1	16	17
Flavio Baracchini Flavio Baracchini Tenente Flavio Torello Baracchini was an Italian World War I fighter ace credited with 21 confirmed and nine unconfirmed aerial victories. His confirmed victory total ranked him fourth among Italian aces of the war....	Italian	1	20	21
Andre Barcat Andre Barcat Sous Lieutenant Andre Jean Louis Barcat was a World War I fighter ace credited with five aerial victories.-Honors and awards:Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur...	French	1	4	5
John Lancashire Barlow	English	1	5	6
Bernard Barny de Romanet Bernard Barny de Romanet Lieutenant Bernard Henri Barny de Romanet was a World War I flying ace credited with 18 aerial victories.Barny de Romanet joined the French army in October 1913. When World War I began, he went into combat with both cavalry and infantry regiments. He transferred into the French air service in July...	French	1	17	18
Alan Duncan Bell-Irving Alan Duncan Bell-Irving Air Commodore Alan Duncan Bell-Irving began his military aviation career as a Canadian flying ace in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I. He served in the RCAF during World War II....	Canadian	1	6	7
Arno Benzler Arno Benzler Leutnant Arno Benzler was a First World War flying ace and aerial commander credited with nine confirmed aerial victories....	German	1	8	9
Hans Berr Hans Berr Oberleutnant Hans Berr was a professional soldier turned World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories. He was one of the German aces who pioneered the first "flying gun", the Fokker Eindekker.-Early life and service:...	German	1	9	10
Clement G. Boothroyd Clement G. Boothroyd Lieutenant Clement Graham Boothroyd DFC became an ace during World War I. He flew as an observer/gunner in a Bristol F.2 Fighter, and in conjunction with his pilots, was credited with 12 confirmed aerial victories.-World War I service:...	English	1	11	12
Geoffrey Hilton Bowman Geoffrey Hilton Bowman Group Captain Geoffrey Hilton "Beery" Bowman DSO, MC and Bar, DFC was a World War I fighter ace credited with 32 victories...	English	1	31	32
Christopher J. Q. Brand alias Quintin Brand	South African	1	11	12
Franz Brandt Franz Brandt Leutnant Franz Brandt was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.Brandt entered the war an artilleryman. In July 1915 he transferred to aviation. His first assignment after training was Kasta 14, between July and September 1916. In December, he moved on to Schutzstaffel 2; he...	German	1	9	10
Frederick Britnell Frederick Britnell Captain Frederick John Shaw Britnell was a flying ace in the Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force during World War I. He was credited with nine aerial victories...	English	1	8	9
Sidney Brown	American	1	4	5
Raymond Brownell Raymond Brownell Air Commodore Raymond James Brownell CBE, MC, MM was a senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force and a First World War flying ace. Born in Hobart, Tasmania, Brownell was working as a clerk with a firm of accountants when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on the outbreak of the...	Australian	1	11	12
Archibald Buchanan Archibald Buchanan (aviator) Lieutenant Archibald Buchanan was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories....	American	1	6	7
Harold Buckley Harold Buckley Captain Harold Robert Buckley was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-World War I service:Buckley was one of the American pilots who came to aviation via an ambulance service. Once in France, he joined the U.S. Army Air Service in Paris. He found himself assigned to the...	American	1	4	5
George William Bulmer George William Bulmer Captain George William Bulmer was an American-born Canadian flying ace in World War I. He was credited with nine aerial victories.-Early life:George William Bulmer was born in Dixon, Illinois, USA on 1 September 1898...	American/Canadian	1	8	9
Walter M. Carlaw Walter M. Carlaw Captain Walter Macfarlane Carlaw DFC was a Scottish-born flying ace who served during World War I. He was credited with 12 confirmed aerial victories.-Early life:...	Scottish	1	11	12
Alfred Williams Carter Alfred Williams Carter Alfred Williams Carter DSC was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 17 victories....	Canadian	1	16	17
Lucien Cayol Lucien Cayol Lieutenant Lucien Eugene Cayol was a World War I fighter ace credited with five aerial victories. He was wounded three times within eight months in defense of his country.-References:...	French	1	4	5
Andre J. Chainat	French	1	10	11
Reed Chambers Reed Chambers Reed McKinley Chambers was a pioneer in the American Aviation industry, as a flying ace in World War One, as founder of an early airline, and as founder and chairman of America's first aviation insurance company.-Early life and military service:...	American	1	6	7
Jean Chaput Jean Chaput Lieutenant Jean Chaput was a World War I flying ace credited with 16 aerial victories. He served in the army infantry beginning in 1913. He transferred to aviation in 1914. He qualified as a pilot by February 1915, was assigned to Escadrille 28, and scored his first victory on 12 June 1915 while...	French	1	15	16
Louis-Antoine Chartoire	French	1	4	5
Robert L. Chidlaw-Roberts Robert L. Chidlaw-Roberts Captain Robert Leslie Chidlaw-Roberts was a British World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.Chidlaw-Roberts joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1915. His first aerial duty was six months spent as an observer/gunner with 2 Squadron...	English	1	9	10
Cecil Christian Clark	English	1	9	10
Percy Jack Clayson Percy Jack Clayson Percy Jack Clayson MC, DFC was a British Flying Ace in World War I credited with twenty-nine victories.-Background:Clayson was born in Deptford, London on 7 June 1896...	English	1	28	29
Thomas Colvill-Jones	Anglo-Argentinian	1	10	11
Antoine Cordonnier	French	1	4	5
Alec Cunningham-Reid	English	1	6	7
John Daley John Daley (aviator) Lieutenant John Albert Edward Robertson Daley was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.-Reference:...	English	1	5	6
Xavier Dannhuber Xavier Dannhuber Lieutenant Xavier Dannhuber was a German World War I flying ace credited with eleven aerial victories.Dannhuber was first assigned to Kagohl 6, then to SS 25. His next assignment, on 1 July 1917, was to fly a fighter for Jasta 26. He shot down an observation balloon near Vlamertinghe on 12 August...	German	1	10	11
Edgar G. Davies Edgar G. Davies Lieutenant Edgar George Davies was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.Davies left school to join the Queen's Westminsters. From there, he transferred into the Royal Flying Corps on 4 November 1917. He qualified as a pilot at the Grahame-White School on their proprietary...	English	1	9	10
Francis James Davies Francis James Davies Captain Francis James Davies was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories during this war. He would return to his country's service during World War II.-World War I service:...	English	1	11	12
Pierre De Cazenove De Pradines Pierre De Cazenove De Pradines Sous Lieutenant Pierre Fortaner Paul de Cazenove de Pradines was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-References:...	French	1	6	7
François Delzenne Francois Delzenne Chief adjutant François Delzenne was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-References:* -Endnotes:...	French	1	6	7
Andre de Meulemeester André de Meulemeester Lieutenant Andre Emile Alfons de Meulemeester was a Belgian flying ace during World War I. He was credited with eleven confirmed and seventeen unconfirmed aerial victories.-World War I:...	Belgian	1	10	11
Noel de Rochefort Noel de Rochefort Sous Lieutenant Noel Hugues Anne Louis de Rochefort was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories. He was one of the original French aces....	French	1	6	7
Albert Deullin Albert Deullin Capitaine Albert Louis Deullin was a World War I flying ace credited with twenty aerial victories. By war's end, he had risen to command of a fighter wing....	French	1	19	20
Marcel Marc Dhome Marcel Marc Dhôme Colonel Marcel Marc Dhôme began his military career during World War I, when he became a flying ace credited with nine confirmed aerial victories. He also served his nation in World War II, and during the Korean War.-World War I:...	French	1	8	9
Albert Dietlen	German	1	8	9
George Clapham Dixon	Canadian	1	8	9
Gustave Douchy Gustave Douchy Capitaine Gustav Douchy was a French military officer who served in both World Wars. He was a flying ace in World War I, credited with nine confirmed aerial victories.-World War I:...	French	1	8	9
Christopher Draper Christopher Draper Squadron Commander Christoper Draper, DSC Croix de guerre , was an English flying ace of World War I. His penchant for flying under bridges earned him the nickname "the Mad Major." After the war he became a film star through his work both as a stunt pilot and as an actor...	English	1	8	9
Jean Dubois de Gennes Jean Dubois de Gennes Aspirant Jean Charles Augustin Dubois de Gennes was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. He was wounded three times in defense of his country.-References:...	French	1	4	5
André Dubonnet	French	1	5	6
William Duncan	Canadian	1	10	11
Raoul Echard Raoul Echard Capitaine Raoul Cesar Robert Pierre Echard was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-Reference:...	French	1	6	7
Carl Frederick Falkenberg Carl Frederick Falkenberg Carl Frederick Falkenberg DFC, AFC was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 17 victories.-References:...	Canadian	1	16	17
Stefan Fejes Stefan Fejes Feldwebel Stefan Fejes was an Austro-Hungarian flying ace credited with 16 confirmed and 4 unconfirmed aerial victories during World War I. By war's end, he had not only received numerous decorations, he had been personally promoted by his emperor....	Austro-Hungarian	1	15	16
George Foster	Canadian	1	6	7
Hans-Eberhardt Gandert Hans-Eberhardt Gandert General-major Hans-Eberhardt Gandert was a German professional soldier who began his 33 year military career in 1912. He learned to fly in the early days of World War I, went on to become a flying ace credited with eight aerial victories, including killing British ace Edwin Benbow, and ended the...	German	1	7	8
Lucien Gasser Lucien Gasser Adjutant Lucien Marcel Gasser was a French flying ace during World War I. He was a double ace, credited with ten confirmed aerial victories.-World War I:...	French	1	9	10
John Inglis Gilmour John Inglis Gilmour Major John Ingles Gilmour DSO MC & Two Bars was a World War I flying ace. He was the highest scoring Scotsman in the Royal Flying Corps, with 39 victories.-Early life:...	English	1	38	39
Walter Göttsch Walter Göttsch Leutnant Walter Göttsch was a German World War I flying ace credited with 20 aerial victories.-Early service:Walter Göttsch volunteered for the German army on 1 July 1915...	German	1	19	20
Charles Gossage Grey Charles Gossage Grey Captain Charles Gossage Grey was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.Charles Gossage Grey was the son of Walter C. Grey....	American	1	4	5
Duncan Grinnell-Milne Duncan Grinnell-Milne Captain Duncan William Grinnell-Milne MC, DFC & Bar was an English First World War pilot credited with six confirmed aerial victories, a prisoner of war, a flying ace and an author who successfully escaped from German captivity...	English	1	5	6
Kurt Gruber Kurt Gruber Kurt Gruber was a Nazi politician and from 1926 to 1931 the first chairman of the Hitler Youth .-Career:...	Austro-Hungarian	1	10	11
Gabriel Guerin Gabriel Guerin Sous Lieutenant Gabriel Fernand Charles Guérin , Legion d'Honneur, Medaille Militaire, Croix de Guerre, was a World War I fighter pilot credited with 23 victories.-Citations for military decorations:Médaille Militaire...	French	1	22	23
Julien Guertiau Julien Guertiau Lieutenant Julien Anatole Guertiau was a cavalryman turned aviator who became a flying ace during World War I. He was credited with eight aerial victories.-Early life and service:...	French	1	7	8
Joseph-Henri Guiguet Joseph-Henri Guiguet Sous Lieutenant Joseph-Henri Guiguet was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.Guiguet was one of the earliest balloon busters, destroying one for his first victory on 22 May 1916; at the time, he was flying a Nieuport for Escadrille 95...	French	1	4	5
Herbert Hamilton Herbert Hamilton Captain Herbert James Hamilton was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.Hamilton died in a flying accident in Yorkshire, England, on 13 June 1918, when his airplane shed a wing.-Reference:...	English	1	6	7
D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton Lieutenant D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton was an American World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.-Early life:D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton was the son of Francis Alfred and Isabel...	American	1	7	8
George Stacey Hodson George Stacey Hodson Air Vice Marshal George Stacey Hodson began his military career as an English World War I flying ace credited with 10 aerial victories. In the course of his 34 years service to his nation, he rose to become a major commander during World War II....	English	1	9	10
Frank Hudson Frank Hudson Captain Frank Neville Hudson MC was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories....	English	1	5	6
Marcel Hugues	French	1	11	12
David Ingalls	American	1	5	6
Lucien J. Jailler Lucien J. Jailler Sous Lieutenant Lucien Joseph Jailler was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve confirmed and eight unverified aerial victories.Jailler joined the army in 1909. He learned to fly on his own in 1911, receiving a civil pilot's license on 10 November 1911...	French	1	11	12
Arthur Gordon Jarvis	English	1	4	5
Alan Jerrard Alan Jerrard Flight Lieutenant Alan Jerrard VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....	English	1	6	7
Otto Jindra Otto Jindra Hauptmann Otto Jindra was an Austro-Hungarian flying ace during World War I, credited with nine aerial victories while flying as an aerial observer. He doubled in excellence as a leader and administrator...	Austro-Hungarian	1	8	9
George Owen Johnson George Owen Johnson Air Marshal George Owen Johnson CB, MC was a Canadian aviator.-World War I service:Born in Woodstock, Ontario in 1896, George Owen Johnson initially served as a subaltern with the Corps of School Cadet Instructors from 1913 to 1916...	Canadian	1	10	11
James Ira Thomas Jones James Ira Thomas Jones James Ira Thomas "Taffy" Jones DSO, MC, DFC & Bar, MM was a British flying ace during the First World War. Jones was born on 18 April 1896 at Woolstone Farm, near St. Clears, Carmarthenshire. In 1913, Jones enlisted in the Territorial Army, though he was soon transferred into the newly established...	Welsh	1	36	37
Solomon Clifford Joseph Solomon Clifford Joseph Captain Solomon Clifford Joseph, DFC, was a flying ace for the Royal Naval Air Service during World War I. He was credited with thirteen confirmed aerial victories.-World War I:...	English	1	12	13
Andrew Kiddie Andrew Kiddie Captain Andrew Cameron Kiddie was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories.As the last British Army veterans of World War I died in 2009 he must now be deceased.-Early service:...	South African	1	14	15
Field Kindley	American	1	11	12
Stefan Kirmaier Stefan Kirmaier Oberleutnant Stefan Kirmaier was a World War I flying ace credited with eleven aerial victories.Kirmaier began World War I as an infantryman. After transferring into aviation, he was posted to FAA 203 in 1915 and early 1916. He was then attached to KEK Jametz, and scored his first three victories...	German	1	10	11
Otto Kissenberth Otto Kissenberth Otto Kissenberth was a German flying ace of World War I.Born in Landshut, Bavaria in 1893, Kissenberth studied at Grenoble University completing an engineering degree in Munich and then working for the Gustav Otto aircraft works as a mechanical engineer.With his interest in aircraft design,...	German	1	19	20
Herbert Knappe Herbert Knappe Leutnant Herbert Wilhelm Franz Knappe was a flying ace during World War I. He was credited with nine confirmed aerial victories while fighting on both the Russian Front and Western Front....	German	1	8	9
Alfred Koch	Canadian	1	9	10
Harold Albert Kullberg Harold Albert Kullberg Captain Harold Albert Kullberg was a World War I flying ace credited with 19 aerial victories. Though he scored his victories with the Royal Air Force, Kullberg was an American citizen. He was rejected for training as an American pilot because he was too short. Nothing daunted, he then joined the...	American	1	18	19
William C. Lambert William C. Lambert William C. Lambert was an American fighter pilot who flew in World War I. He was probably the second-ranking American ace of World War I...	American	1	17	18
Reed G. Landis Reed G. Landis Major Reed Gresham Landis was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories.-Early life and World War I:Landis was the son of federal judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis. In 1916, he enlisted in the 1st Illinois Cavalry of the National Guard, and served as a private along the Mexican...	American	1	11	12
Maxime Lenoir Maxime Lenoir Adjutant Maxime Albert Lenoir was a pioneering World War I flying ace credited with eleven aerial victories.Lenoir trained as a pilot in 1913, receiving Pilot's Brevet No. 1564 on 5 December, and so was serving in aviation when World War I began. He completed his military training, receiving...	French	1	10	11
André Robert Lévy Andre Robert Levy Sergent André Robert Lévy was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.André Robert Lévy began his military service in the infantry but transferred to aviation on 8 October 1916. He was initially assigned to fly a Farman for Escadrille 29. However, he used a Sopwith 1.A2 for his...	French	1	5	6
Georges Lienhart Georges Lienhart Adjutant Georges Frederic Lienhart was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	French	1	4	5
George Lloyd George Lloyd (aviator) Major George Lawrence Lloyd was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.Lloyd never quite became an ace in any squadron, though he was an ace overall. He became a balloon buster for his first victory piloting a Nieuport for 60 Squadron; he destroyed the observation balloon on...	South African	1	7	8
Walter H. Longton Walter H. Longton Captain Walter Hunt Longton was an English World War I flying ace credited with 11 confirmed aerial victories. Most unusually for a British or Commonwealth ace, all his victories resulted in the destruction of his foe....	English	1	10	11
Frederic Ives Lord Frederic Ives Lord Frederic Ives Lord or sometimes Frederick Ives Lord, was a Captain, a World War I flying ace, and a soldier of fortune who fought in five wars.-Early years:...	American	1	11	12
Norman MacLeod Norman MacLeod Reverend Norman Macleod was a Scottish clergyman and author.-Early life:Norman Macleod was born in Kirk Street, Campbeltown, to the Rev. Dr. Norman Macleod and Agnes Maxwell; his paternal grandfather, a minister of Morven, bore the same name.His father, at that time minister of Campbeltown, was...	Canadian	1	6	7
Georges Madon Georges Madon Georges Felix Madon was the fourth ranked French ace pilot of the First World War. His lengthy career and wide variety of aviation experiences were remarkable.-Early years:...	French	1	40	41
Garnet Malley Garnet Malley Captain Garnet Francis Malley was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. He became Chiang Kaishek's aviation advisor in 1930.-Early life:...	Australian	1	5	6
Mick Mannock	British	1	60	61
Roy Manzer Roy Manzer Captain Roy Manzer was a Canadian World War I flying ace credited with 12 official aerial victories. After his aerial military service, he returned to Canada and a long and distinguished legal and civic career.-World War I:...	Canadian	1	10	11
Jean Matton Jean Matton Capitaine Jean Georges Fernand Matton was a World War I cavalryman and flying ace. He was credited with nine confirmed and two unconfirmed aerial victories....	French	1	8	9
Hugh Maund	English	1	7	8
Ian Donald Roy McDonald Ian Donald Roy McDonald Captain Ian Donald Roy McDonald was a World War I flying ace credited with 20 aerial victories. Although born in the British West Indies, he returned to England to serve in the air force. After his successful career in combat, he spent a short while at home before returning to the colors...	English	1	19	20
Malcolm McGregor Malcolm McGregor Malcolm McGregor was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in 55 films between 1922 and 1936. He was born in Newark, New Jersey and died in Hollywood, California....	New Zealander	1	10	11
James Meissner James Meissner Major James Armand Meissner was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories and awarded two Distinguished Service Crosses.-Early life and service:...	American	1	7	8
Christian Mesch	German	1	12	13
Xavier Moissinac Xavier Moissinac Marechal-des-Logis Xavier Jean-Marie Louis Moissinac was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-Reference:...	French	1	6	7
William Molesworth William Molesworth (aviator) Major William Earle Molesworth was a World War I flying ace credited with 18 aerial victories.Molesworth attended Marlborough College from 1908 - 1912. He then moved on to RMC Sandhurst from 1912 - 1914. On 8 August 1914, he was commissioned second lieutenant in the Royal Munster Fusiliers. He went...	Irish	1	17	18
Paul Montange Paul Montange Sergeant Paul Montange was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	French	1	4	5
René Montrion René Montrion Adjutant René Montrion was a French flying ace during World War I. He was credited with eleven confirmed aerial and eight unconfirmed victories....	French	1	10	11
Thomas Nash Thomas Nash (aviator) Captain Thomas Walter Nash DFC was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.Nash was born in Acton, Middlesex on 25 November 1891 the son of Thomas and Amy Nash, his father was a confectioner.-Reference:...	English	1	7	8
Ernest Norton Ernest Norton (aviator) Air Commodore Ernest William Norton DSC began his military career as a World War I flying ace credited with nine aerial victories....	Welsh	1	8	9
Charles Nuville Charles Nuville Lieutenant Colonel Charles Marie Joseph Leon Nuville was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve confirmed aerial victories.-Early service:...	French	1	11	12
Charles Walter Odell	English	1	6	7
Augustus Paget	English	1	5	6
Herbert A. Patey Herbert A. Patey Captain Herbert Andrew Patey was an English World War I flying ace credited with 11 aerial victories.-World War I:Patey began his military career by joining the Royal Naval Division early in World War I. He served with them in both Egypt and Gallipoli, and was invalided back to England in September...	English	1	10	11
Charles Pelissier	French	1	4	5
Edward Pennell Edward Pennell Captain Edward Robert Pennell was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. He served on his home town's city council, being four times chairman. He later returned to service during World War II....	English	1	4	5
Pier Piccio	Italian	1	23	24
Franz Piechulek Franz Piechulek Leutnant Franz Piechulek was a World War I flying ace credited with 14 aerial victories. He was assigned to Kest 5 on 27 October 1917. He scored his first aerial victory there, downing a Nieuport on 22 November. He then moved on to Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 41 on 14 December. On 5 January 1918, he...	German	1	13	14
Constant Plessis Constant Plessis Sous Lieutenant Constant Emmanuel Plessis was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-Reference:...	French	1	5	6
François Portron Francois Portron Sous-Lieutenant François Portron was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:*...	French	1	4	5
Roger Poupon Roger Poupon Capitaine Roger Poupon was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.-Reference:...	French	1	7	8
Stanley Asa Puffer	Canadian	1	6	7
David Putnam	American	1	12	13
Frank Granger Quigley Frank Granger Quigley Frank Granger Quigley DSO, MC & Bar was a Canadian World War I flying ace who was credited with 33 victories. He was notable for scoring the majority of his victories against German fighter planes.-Early life and service:...	Canadian	1	32	33
Lewis Hector Ray	Canadian	1	6	7
Harold Redler Harold Redler Lieutenant Harold Bolton Redler was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories. His most notable triumph was over a leading German ace, Adolf von Tutschek, whom he killed in action.-Early life:...	South African	1	9	10
Victor Regnier Victor Regnier Sous Lieutenant Victor François Marie Alexis Regnier was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-World War I:Victor Regnier was an experienced soldier when World War I began, having served in the artillery from 1910 through 1912. He was recalled for the war, only to be wounded...	French	1	4	5
Paul Rodde	French	1	4	5
Jean C. Romatet Jean C. Romatet Lieutenant Jean Charles Romatet began his military career during World War I as a flying ace credited with seven confirmed victories. He rose to the rank of General during World War II.-Reference:...	French	1	6	7
Otto Rosenfeld	German	1	12	13
Herbert Rowley Herbert Rowley Air Commodore Herbert Victor Rowley began his military career during World War I. He became a flying ace while in the Royal Naval Air Service and became a member of the Royal Air Force when the RNAS was consolidated into it...	English	1	8	9
Theodor Rumpl	German	1	4	5
Eduard Ritter von Schleich Eduard Ritter von Schleich Eduard Ritter von Schleich , née Eduard-Maria Joseph Schleich was a high scoring Bavarian flying ace of World War I. He was credited with 35 aerial victories at the end of the war...	German	1	34	35
Karl Schmückle	German	1	5	6
Wilhelm Schulz	German	1	4	5
Maurice Scott	English	1	11	12
Kenneth Seth-Smith	English	1	4	5
Frank Sharpe	English	1	4	5
Charles Sims Charles Sims (aviator) Lieutenant Charles John Sims was an English World War I flying ace credited with nine aerial victories. His most notable victory saw him shoot down an enemy plane that crashed into another, giving Sims a second win...	English	1	8	9
Harry Coleman Smith	English	1	4	5
John Henry Smith	Canadian	1	7	8
Frank Ormond Soden Frank Ormond Soden Frank Ormond "Mongoose" Soden DFC & Bar was a First World War flying ace, officially credited with 27 victories. Though born in Canada, Soden moved to the United Kingdom as a child....	Canadian	1	26	27
Constant Soulier Constant Soulier Marechal-des-Logis Constant Frederic Soulier was a World War I flying ace credited with six confirmed aerial victories and nine unconfirmed.Soulier was a student at the Ecole Polytechnique when World War I began. His first attempts to join the military were frustrated by his ill health and his...	French	1	5	6
Gilbert John Strange	English	1	6	7
John Stevenson Stubbs John Stevenson Stubbs Captain John Stevenson Stubbs DFC AFC was an English First World War flying ace credited with 11 official victories. He was a pioneering bomber pilot who was the war's leading ace for the British Airco DH.9. He also carried off the rather unusual feat of destroying an enemy observation balloon with...	English	1	10	11
Frank Harold Taylor Frank Harold Taylor Lieutenant Frank Harold Taylor was a Canadian-born flying ace. During World War I, he was credited with ten aerial victories.-Early life and service:...	Canadian	1	9	10
William Thaw William Thaw (aviator) Lieutenant Colonel William Thaw II was a World War I flying ace credited with five confirmed aerial victories and two unconfirmed ones. He is believed to be the first American to engage in aerial combat in the war. He was the first to fly up the East River under all four bridges.-Early life:He...	American	1	4	5
Emil Thuy Emil Thuy Emil Thuy , Pour le Merite, Württemberg's Order of Military Merit, House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross First and Second Class, was one of the leading German fighter aces of World War I, with 35 victories...	German	1	34	35
William Tipton William Tipton Lieutenant William Dolley Tipton began his military career as a World War I Sopwith Camel pilot. The U.S. Air Force officially credits him with four aerial victories during the war, although other sources claim he had five, and thus was a flying ace...	American	1	4	5
Robert Miles Todd	American	1	4	5
John Lightfoot Trollope John Lightfoot Trollope Captain John Lightfoot Trollope, MC & Bar, was a British First World War flying ace, who was the first British pilot to shoot down 7 enemy aircraft in one day, on 24 March 1918. Four days later, he claimed his last 3 kills of the war , before being shot down by German ace Paul Billik...	English	1	17	18
Paul Turck	German	1	9	10
Kenneth R. Unger Kenneth R. Unger Rear Admiral Kenneth Russell Unger was a World War I flying ace credited with fourteen aerial victories.-Early training:Unger took private instruction with the Aero Club of America, earning Certificate No. 1356. Nevertheless, the United States Air Service rejected him for enlistment, so he went to...	American	1	13	14
Jerry Vasconcells Jerry Vasconcells Captain Jerry Cox Vasconcells was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. Vasconcells was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame in its first ceremony of 1969.-History:...	American	1	5	6
George A. Vaughn	American	1	12	13
Werner Wagener Werner Wagener Leutnant Werner Wagener was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	German	1	4	5
Hazel Wallace Hazel Wallace Captain Hazel LeRoy Wallace DFC was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 14 victories. His record shows him to have been a notable team player in squadron tactics....	English	1	13	14
Pierre Wertheim Pierre Wertheim Lieutenant Pierre Armand Wertheim, aka Pierre Armand Wertheimer, was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...	French	1	4	5
Richard Wenzl Richard Wenzl Leutnant Richard Wenzl was a German World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories.Wenzl flew first for an artillery cooperation unit, FAA 236. He transferred, first to KEK Ost, then to Jasta 31 in the spring of 1917. For his first victory, he shot down a Spad on 19 April 1917. He had...	German	1	11	12
Wilbert White Wilbert White Lieutenant Wilbert Wallace White, Jr. was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories. He was recommended for the Medal of Honor for his heroic self-sacrifice.-Early life:...	American	1	7	8
Claude Melnot Wilson Claude Melnot Wilson Lieutenant Claude Melnot Wilson was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.-Military service:Wilson transferred from artillery to the Royal Flying Corps, and was assigned to 29 Squadron on 4 May 1918. He used a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a for all his victories. He scored his...	Canadian	1	7	8
Percy Wilson Percy Wilson Percy Wilson was an Australian rules footballer who played with Collingwood and Melbourne in the Victorian Football League during the early 1900s....	English	1	6	7
Chester Wright Chester Wright Lieutenant Chester Ellis Wright was an American World War I flying ace credited with nine confirmed aerial victories. He was the top scoring ace for his squadron....	American	1	8	9